More than a thousand people are gathering at the Opryland Resort this weekend for an event promoting what they describe as “health freedom.” It was orchestrated by Sumner County couple Ty and Charlene Bollinger, who have been called some of the country’s biggest vaccine misinformation superspreaders.
Attendees came from all over the country, as well as nearby, for the event. Despite clear signs throughout the hotel that unvaccinated people should wear masks inside the resort, none were.
At 8:30 a.m., the Bollingers took the stage to welcome the crowd, wearing a tuxedo and a ballgown.
“In the last few weeks y’all wouldn’t believe what has gone on behind the scenes that allowed us to continue to have this conference here with no masks, and no vaccine requirements and no social distancing,” Ty Bollinger said to cheers and applause. “Like a conference should be held.”
The event also served as a rally for Tennesseans opposed to government and business mandates to fight COVID. State lawmakers are scheduled to hold a special session, beginning Wednesday, to discuss legislation that is meant to ignore federal vaccine rules.
“There is an evil government in Washington, D.C., that is overstepping its bounds and is trying to replace God with it,” state Sen. Mark Pody, R-Lebanon, said from the stage. “They’re trying to tell each and every one of us what we can and cannot do.”
Pody said conservatives need to step up and say no to vaccine mandates.
“Not on my watch,” he said. “Not here.”
Paige Pfleger WPLN NewsState Sen. Mark Pody speaks against vaccine mandates at an event at the Opryland Resort.
Though a federal mandate hasn’t been established yet, President Biden has indicated he wants workplace safety regulators to require vaccines for companies with more than 100 employees. Some of the conference attendees said they worry it could cost them their jobs.
“It’s hard to have these things forced on us like this,” said Murray Marsh from Franklin. She attended the event with her mom and daughter. She teared up and bounced her baby on her hip as she talked. “I think it should be a personal decision for everyone. It’s not one-size-fits-all.”
Tennessee still has one of the lowest vaccine rates in the country, in part because of misinformation. Despite some claims by the Bollingers and others, health officials say the vaccine is safe and effective at preventing serious infections and death, and research has shown that mandates are an effective way to bring vaccine rates up to protect public health.
Update: This story was updated Sunday to include an attendance estimate from Opryland staff.
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